Direction indicator switch mechanism



Aug. 25, 1953 J. M. OSGIAN DIRECTION INDICATOR SWITCH MECHANISM Filed May 12, 1951 jy, J.

- INVENTOR. cm

Patented Aug. 25, 1953 UN I TED STATES PATENT "OFFICE DIRECTION INDICATOR SWITCH MECHANISM James M. OsgiamFarmington, Mich.

ApplicationMay 12, 1951, iSeriaLNo. 225,939

liClaim. 1

This invention relates to a switch mechanism adapted for ready installation in a truck, automobile or similar vehicle where operation by'the feet of the driver to control the actuation of electric signal lamps, or devices, provides an indication of the drivers intention-to make a left or a right turn a the case may be; and has for its object to provide a simple and easily constructed switch arrangement capable of ready and positive operation to close or to open a circuit through one or other of the direction indicating lights or devices in a manner avoiding the usecf thehands ofthe driver.

The invention further contemplates the utilizing of a novel form of switch-mechanism lending itself to pedal-operation-in the manner indicated and assuring apositive-opening ;orclosingof eitherof the indicator circuits being maintained -for-any period of time which the :driver (may desire without regard to -.o,r interference by I the operation of the steering mechanism of the vehicle or of any of the driving or controlling mechanism thereof.

More specifically, the invention proposes to employ a rotor having a plurality of arms alternately carrying conducting and non-conducting elements whereby the rotation thereof will cause said arms to alternately close and open a circuit through contacts suitably positioned for that purpose, and pedal-operated means adapted, when operated by the foot in one direction, to move said arms alternately into juxtaposition with said contacts on each operation, and to return to an original position ready for successive operation without affecting any roation of said rotor.

Still further objects or advantages additional or subsidiary to the aforesaid objects, or resulting from the construction or operation of the invention as it may be carried into effect, will become apparent as the said invention is hereinafter further disclosed.

In carrying the said invention into effect, I may adopt the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, by way of example, having reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 indicates in side elevation the steering post of a. motor vehicle havin my improved switching mechanism attached thereto adjacent to the floorboard of the vehicle;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same with a wiring diagram illustrating a typical electrical installation;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of one of the switches with the top part of the box cut away-to disclose the inner mechanism; and

Figure-4 isa-vertical'section through the switch box taken on a plane indicated by the line 4-4 boxes shown as being attached'to-the llower'portion of the steeringpost adjacent the floorboard is by clamping means 13 of any-suitable-natur e. I4 and M "are pushbuttons orjfootpedals, the shafts [5 of which passthroug-h-the upperpor- 'tion of the switch boxes, as clearly shown "in Figures 3 and 4, .each of these shafts being providedwith a stop 16 and a compression spring 1'! which urges the said stop '18 toward one end of the switch box and normally maintains its particular foot-pedal in an extended position as shown in all of the figures. The stop [6 is shown as being provided with a depending trip finger 13 which is swingable upwardly on its pintle in a direction away from stop 1 6 (or to the left as illustrated in the drawing).

Each switch box is provided on its underside with a pair of terminals l9 and 20 electrically connected with contact fingers 2i and 22 inside the lower part of the box, the adjacent free ends of the said fingers being preferably bent downwardly or depressed as at 2| and 22'. The terminals I9 of the switch boXes l2 and I2 are connected by leads 23 and 23' with one terminal of the battery 24, the other terminal of which is connected by a lead 25 with one terminal of a direction-indicating lamp or signal 25; while the lead 21 from the battery is connected with one terminal of the other direction-indicator 28.

The terminal 20 of the switch box 12 is connected by a lead 29, through a suitable flasher device 3% with the other terminal of the said direction-indicator 28; while the terminal 20 of the switch box IE is connected by the lead 3|, through a flasher device 32, with the other terminal of the indicator device 26.

Each of the said switch boxes houses a rotor, generally numbered 33, mounted on a shaft 34 and having arms 35 alternating with arms 36. The arms 35 carry rollers 31 having conducting surfaces, whereas the arms 36 carry rollers 38 having non-conducting surfaces. Figures 3 and 4 show the rotor in position wherein the lower roller 3! establishes electrical communication between the spring fingers 2| and 22, as will be obvious, and in such position would effect the operation of that direction indicator with which the particular terminals l8 and 20 are connected.

It will be readily seen that upon depression of the foot-pedal M (or of the foot-pedal M, as the case may be) to a sufficient extent, the one-way trip finger 18 will impinge the roller of the uppermost arm of the rotor and thereby effect the turning of the rotor through a 90 angle causing one of the non-conducting rollers 38 to engage between the depressed ends of the contact fingers 2| and 22 and thus breaking the circuit therethrough; and upon pressure of the foot being released from the foot pedal, the spring ll will return the said pedal to its original extended position, the trip finger l8 simply lifting and riding over the uppermost roller of the rotor without imparting any motion thereto. A succeeding depression of the foot pedal will again turn the rotor in the manner described, again closing the circuit through the contact fingers 2| and 22 as will be obvious.

It should be noted that the steering column ll extends between and acts as a separator for the push pedals I and I4 and as a guide for the feet of the operator in selecting either of these foot pedals When about to indicate a right or left hand turn. Thus, in the normal operation of a vehicle, the drivers feet being on opposite sides of the steering post, it is practically impossible for the operator to inadvertently press the wrong foot-pedal as contact of the right or left foot with the steerin post will immediately position the foot for actuation of the car pedal.

Thus, it will be seen that the operator may press one or the other of the foot pedals with his foot to actuate one or the other of the direction indicators and such direction indicators will be maintained operative until such time as the driver ofthe vehicle again depresses that particular foot pedal. Positive and complete control of the operation of the direction indicator is thus secured in a simple manner, without interference by the operation of the steering mechanism or of the use of the drivers hand, and, upon any such operation being effected, the drivers feet are entirely free to operate the clutch, brake or other controlling mechanism of the vehicle.

This invention may be developed within the scope of the following claim without departing from the essential features of the said invention, and it is desired that the specification and drawing be read as being merely illustrative of a practical embodiment of the same and not in a strictly limiting sense.

What I claim is:

For right and left turn signal indicators for motor vehicles, and in combination with the steering column of a motor vehicle, a pair of switch boxes respectively secured to the right and left sides of the steering column in proximity of the floor of the vehicle, a depressible pedal carried by each switch box and positioned for operation of the right or left foot of an operator rearwardly of the steering column with the steering column constituting a spaced guide for proper selection of the pedal to be depressed for the selective operation of the right and left turn signal indicators, and a source of electrical energy in communication with said switch boxes whereby depression of a selected pedal will operate the desired signal indicator.

JAMES M. OSGIAN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 435,024 Rockwell Aug. 26, 1890 825,632 Black July 10, 1906 1,238,382 Biddle Aug. 28, 1917 1,357,504 Lynch Nov. 2, 1920 

